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13.04.2018
There are several breeds of rodents that differ in size, color and character. One of the most popular pets is the Syrian hamster.
Origin of Syrian hamsters
The species was first described by a 19th century zoologist. George Robert Waterhouse. In 1839, the scientist worked on compiling catalogs of mammals and birds brought by Charles Darwin from his trip around the world. Among the specimens was a Syrian hamster. Then, for a long time, this rodent was not encountered by natural scientists during their expeditions. It was considered extinct.
The Syrian hamster is also called the Central Asian hamster.
Only in 1930, near the Syrian city of Aleppo, another representative of this breed was found. Israeli biologist Israel Aharoni managed to find a pregnant female, who soon gave birth to 11 cubs. Within a year, Professor Aharoni had 150 rodents. After a couple of years, there were so many animals that he was able to send them to his colleagues in America and Europe, where they became widespread.
Description of the breed
The anatomy of the golden hamster allows it to carry large volumes of food that other rodents of similar size cannot carry at once. This is possible thanks to the cheek pouches. When filled, they double the volume of the head.
The animal is distinguished by its overall stockiness and short limbs. The front paws have 4 toes, and the hind paws have 5.
Habitat
Natural habitat - Central and South Asian steppes, Persian Gulf countries. There are representatives of the breed in Africa, Europe and America. Animals often choose to live in cultivated areas, parks and vegetable gardens - rich sources of food. Now wild individuals are rare. These are either pets or laboratory specimens.
Syrian hamsters are considered picky animals. They can adapt to living in almost any conditions.
Coat color and length
Syrian hamsters come in short-haired and long-haired varieties. Do not cross these species, because... the cub may become the owner of wool that does not fit into the breed standards.
The following color options are available:
- golden;
- black;
- white;
- yellow-brown;
- cream;
- dark grey;
- pearl;
- Agouti is a zoned coat color.
The most common shades are cream and golden. Coat color can change throughout the animal's life. Basically it becomes darker.
Thanks to the variety of types of Syrian hamsters, everyone can choose a pet to suit their taste.
Length and weight
Compared to their other relatives, Syrian rodents are quite large: body length is 13 cm or more, weight - 125-150 g. Females are larger than males.
Scent glands
The presence of scent, or marker, glands is a distinctive feature of golden hamsters. The glands secrete a special secretion that rodents use to mark their territory. Visually, these are 2 symmetrical black spots on the sides of the animal. The spots can be barely visible, or they can stand out strongly, having a rough surface and more like warts. Males have more pronounced glands. The rodent can rub its sides against the cage to leave a secret there and claim its territory.
A change in the appearance of the marker glands is a reason to consult a veterinarian. This may be a consequence of the development of inflammatory processes or cancer.
Character and lifestyle
The Syrian hamster, like many of its relatives, is more active at night. This is due to the peculiarities of the life of rodents in the wild, where they are forced to hide from predators. Twilight is a natural shelter. The animal was domesticated relatively recently, so its genetics and lifestyle did not have time to adapt to the new rhythm.
In their natural habitat, rodents dig tunnels and strive to create a home and pantry for themselves - a place to store supplies. If resources allow, the animal is capable of making supplies whose weight will exceed its own 100 times.
Under natural conditions, Syrian hamsters live in shallow burrows and are active at night.
The main behavioral characteristic of animals is activity. They are curious and friendly, but can become aggressive when frightened. To avoid this, pick up your pet carefully, without sudden movements. Give him time to get used to your smell and offer him a treat. This way the hamster will be more willing to make contact.
Rodents have intelligence, are able to recognize their owner and respond to a name.
Lifespan
On average, these pets live 2-3 years. Life expectancy directly depends on the conditions of detention and proper care.
This is interesting
The largest hamster in the world
. The common hamster is considered not only the largest, but also the most beautiful among its fellows. Its size is truly impressive. An adult reaches 25–30 centimeters in length. It has an extremely bright, rich red coat color on the back, a black belly and three white spots on the side of the head, chest and sides. The nose and paws are white. Although sometimes there are individuals of black and white or black color.
The smallest hamster in the world
. Among all domestic hamsters, Roborovsky's hamsters are the smallest. They reach only five to six centimeters in length. Their back and head are yellow-sand in color. But the belly and fur around the antennae are almost white. A distinctive feature of this breed of hamsters are light, almost transparent “eyebrows”. The movement of these funny animals across their territory is so rapid that their owners can mainly only observe their beloved pets. In addition, this type of hamster is characterized by increased nervousness, and moving them in the external environment or changing the environment becomes real stress for them, which can last up to several weeks.
Some hamsters may begin to chew on the cage or objects in it, and this can be corrected by giving the hamster cookies or putting chalk in the cage. Dog treats are good - they will not harm the hamster's teeth, nor are they harmful to health or digestion. But it is very important that the hamster has food or objects with which he can grind his teeth - if this is not the case, the constantly growing teeth can puncture the jaw.
Hamsters see in black and white, but at the same time they have very poor eyesight. Hamsters rely primarily on hearing and smell.
The Vietnamese authorities have banned the keeping of hamsters, rightly considering them carriers of dangerous diseases. The reason for such measures was the massive import of animals that had not passed veterinary control from abroad, which was associated with the onset of the Year of the Rat according to the eastern calendar and an increase in demand for small rodents. The maximum fine for violating the ban is 30 million dong, which is about 57,000 rubles, and is comparable to the annual income of a resident of this country.
Selection and arrangement of the cage
In the wild, animals are active and mobile. A properly selected cage will allow the animal to live in its usual rhythm and will be the key to its good health.
Requirements
The more spacious the cage and the more tiers it has, the better. Hamsters love stairs and passages. The rods should be metal: they let in a lot of light and air, and it is impossible to chew through them. It is better to choose a plastic tray: it is easy to care for and does not absorb odors. A mandatory element of the home is a special house where the hamster will hide and stock up.
Syrian hamsters are relatively large in size, so a small cage is not suitable for keeping such a pet.
Drinker and food bowls
When choosing a bowl for food, it is better to give preference to a ceramic one, because... it is more stable compared to plastic. Place it on one of the upper tiers - this will protect the container from dust and debris.
Ceramic dishes can also be used for water, which should always be in the cage. The sides should not be high so that the hamster does not have to stretch. Sometimes inexperienced breeders have concerns that the animal may accidentally choke when left unattended. But this option of supplying water is considered more natural and convenient for the animal. If you choose the right bowl and pour no more than 100 ml of liquid, no harm will happen.
There are special sippy cups in the form of bottles. They are attached to the cell walls using suction cups or hooks. The rodent receives water through a straw. The water in such a drinking bowl is protected from dust and debris. But the bottle requires careful care. If hygiene is poor, mold will quickly form inside.
Sports area
Sports activity is an important factor influencing the lifespan of a Syrian hamster. A running wheel should be a must-have exercise machine. It is better to choose a model without crossbars and with a small distance between the rods so that the animal’s paws do not fall through. Securely attach the exercise machine to the wall of the cage or install it inside using a special stand.
If space allows, add mazes and obstacle courses. This will diversify your pet’s leisure time and provide additional physical activity.
Filler
The bottom of the cage must be sprinkled with a layer of filler. It is needed to neutralize odor and absorb pet waste. Pressed sawdust is well suited for these purposes. They will not cause harm if the animal decides to chew them a little or use them to decorate their home.
Good bedding for a hamster's cage is no less important than quality food.
Cleaning
You need to keep order in your rodent’s home every day: change water and food, spot remove dirty litter, throw away spoiled food. Wash the cage once a week and completely change all the litter. It is recommended to use gentle cleaning agents without a strong odor. To remove heavy stains, use a weak solution of vinegar.
Supplies in the house should be periodically reviewed, but if the food has not spoiled, do not throw it away.
Additional accessories
When you equip the cage with everything necessary for a comfortable life for your pet, take a closer look at the accessories. They won't let your pet get bored. There is a wide choice: hammocks, plastic and plush tunnels, slides, cotton wool nests, rings and even special play complexes.
The character of the hamster and its acquisition
Rodents have different personalities; before purchasing, it is advisable to read reviews about Syrian hamsters. They are usually purchased for children, as these animals are calm and docile. They are obedient and easy to train. Compared to other breeds, Syrians are lazier and slower.
Syrian hamsters are solitary by nature, so only one pet can live in one cage. Living with an adult causes stress in a Syrian, the consequences of which can be loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, and aggression towards a neighbor. After the animals are five weeks old, they are separated from each other.
The Syrian is most active at night. During the day he sleeps and almost never appears from the nest. The animal is perfect for those who are busy during the day and free in the evening.
The price of hamsters depends not only on the breed, but also on the color, place of purchase and age of the animal. Syrians are distinguished by a variety of colors, large size and easy-going disposition, so their cost is higher than that of other breeds. The price for them may vary, as the seller regulates it at his own discretion. To get an idea of the cost of a rodent, it is better to read reviews from breeders. The lowest price for an animal will be on the poultry market, and the highest from breeders. They sell a vaccinated baby with a birthmark and pedigree, hence the increased cost. On the market, a hamster costs from one hundred to three hundred rubles; in a nursery, its cost can reach a thousand rubles.
If you have purchased a hamster, buy related products for it. An animal definitely needs a cage, a feeder and water bowl, toys for an active lifestyle and a mineral stone to grind down its incisors.
Syrian hamster nutrition
The activity, immunity and lifespan of a rodent largely depend on its diet. To create a balanced menu, you need to know the feeding behavior of an animal in the wild.
Mode
The hamster is a nocturnal animal, its activity time falls at dusk.
Divide the daily amount of food into 2 meals. In the evening, the portion of food should be larger than in the morning.
Diet
In their natural habitat, the diet of rodents includes the following components:
- cereal grains;
- greens, fruits and vegetables;
- insects and worms, i.e. protein.
You need to feed your pet in a balanced manner at home.
The Syrian hamster's diet should be well balanced.
The hamster's diet consists of cereals:
- wheat:
- rye;
- oats;
- corn;
- millet.
Add peanuts, nuts, dried peas, sunflower seeds, watermelon and melon to your menu.
You can buy ready-made cereal mixture. If you prepare the food yourself, keep in mind that peanuts and nuts are high in fat. Their content in the total mass of the finished product should not exceed 10%.
Feed your rodent plant foods daily.
It can be greens, clover, plantain, lettuce, parsley, dill. It is better not to include wormwood and dandelion (especially its stems) in the animal’s diet.
Fresh vegetables allowed:
- carrot;
- cucumber;
- zucchini;
- radish;
- Bell pepper.
The following fruits are suitable as a treat:
- apples;
- bananas;
- pears;
- peaches.
It is not worth giving them often, because... they contain a lot of sugar. For the same reason, dried fruits should be excluded from the rodent’s diet. But you can treat your hamster with berries every day.
On average, a rodent should receive about 30 g of cereals, 20 g of vegetables and herbs every day. Additionally, you can offer your pet 1-2 nuts and a few pieces of fruit.
Several times a week the animal should receive 5 g of protein food.
Low-fat cottage cheese, boiled eggs and chicken are suitable. In pet stores you can purchase insects and worms specifically designed for feeding.
Toys for grinding teeth
Rodents' teeth constantly grow. Give your pet a tree branch to grind them down. Recommended are beech, apple, birch, oak, cherry, pear, birch, and willow. Coniferous tree branches should not be given.
The mineral ring must be kept in the Syrian hamster's cage at all times.
There are special mineral stones for rodents on sale. They not only help to grind teeth, but also add useful substances to the pet’s diet: calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium.
Themed cage decoration
It is human nature to decorate his home, to subordinate everything that is in his field of vision to the overall design, so sooner or later the question arises about decorating the home of a furry pet.
You can decorate the hamster cage in accordance with the general style of the room where it will be located.
If this is a children's room, it would be appropriate to stylize the hamster's house as a castle or fortress, and various thematic bridges and ladders will complement the picture.
Lock cage for hamster
A cage with a house made of real coconut husk or an inverted flower pot with a sawn-out entrance hole and a reed bridge would look interesting in the kitchen.
By placing the cage in the living room in a high-tech style, you can create a whole spaceport for your pet. A house that smoothly turns into a vertical rocket tunnel and climbing frames in the form of radars, a toilet corner and a feeding trough, veiled as storage rooms, will look very futuristic in certain lighting.
Hamster cage in high-tech style
A cage designed “to resemble an old water mill” looks original, where the running wheel becomes the central object, and the hamster’s house turns into a mill with blades.
New Year's decoration
Under no circumstances should you put real spruce branches in the cage; the hamster will definitely try to gnaw it, and the resinous substances are harmful to his body. Tinsel should also be prohibited. If you wish, you can decorate the cage with things that are edible and harmless to the fluffy: a carrot decorated with raisins and dried apples, or a “snowman” made from cottage cheese are suitable as a Christmas tree.
Garlands can be cut from cucumber or any other hamster-safe vegetable or fruit with a special knife.
Rules for caring for a Syrian hamster
Syrian hamsters are easy to care for. For a pet to live comfortably, it is necessary to keep the cage clean and provide regular and balanced nutrition.
Walks and games
If the animal's cage is equipped with everything necessary, then it does not require additional walks.
If you want to let your pet roam around the apartment, purchase a special ball. The hamster will not be able to escape from it and will always be in sight.
What not to do
You should not let your hamster out on the street: in the grass you will quickly lose sight of him.
Protect the animal from falling from heights. The bones of his skeleton are fragile, and any fall can end sadly, even fatally. Be careful when handling your pet. Don't leave him outside his cage unattended.
How to choose the right cage for a hamster?
Before purchasing, you should understand one defining point - for the animal this is not a prison, but a real home in which it should be as comfortable as possible. The fact is that he will spend most of his life there. One of the key factors is the size of the cell itself. If the hamster is a dwarf, then a model with a bottom area of 50x30 cm will be enough for him; the height of the product should be 40-50 cm. For animals of the Syrian breed, such parameters should be much larger - 60x40 cm in bottom size and 60 cm in height. In principle, we indicated the minimum dimensions, there is no upper limit, but large cells are much more difficult to wash.
The most common structures are made of metal lattice and equipped with a plastic tray. They are quite easy to clean and disinfect. Feeders, drinkers, various additional accessories, and so on are simply attached to the grille. The hamster will constantly receive the required amount of fresh air, which will allow him to remain active throughout his life. On sale you can find a variety of such products - the grilles are made of metal, and the remaining elements are wooden, all accessories are also made of wood.
Hamster cage: which one to choose? Full version
There are also cages with transparent walls made of plastic. The tray is removable if necessary, the structure is closed on top with a lid made of a metal lattice, however, such models have a significant drawback - access to fresh air to the pet is difficult. If you wish, you can even purchase two small cells at once and combine them into one.
When we chose products to include in our review of the best cages for hamsters, we were guided mainly by all the points described above, and they are aimed, first of all, at the comfort of the animal’s life. User reviews and value for money were also taken into account. We tried to make a rating of not the most expensive models so that our readers could choose the most optimal option for their pet.
Reproduction of Syrian hamsters
Rodents reach sexual maturity at 6 weeks. But for breeding it is better to choose individuals no younger than 4-6 and no older than 18 months. Avoid crossing blood relatives, because this can lead to genetic mutations and deformities in the offspring.
After birth, you should not touch the cubs with your hands, otherwise the female is able to eat all her offspring if she senses the presence of foreign odors.
Pregnancy period
A pregnant female should be fed protein foods and kept separate from other hamsters, because she can be aggressive. Gestation lasts about 16 days.
Offspring
From 8 to 12 individuals are born in a litter. The lactation period is 20 days. If you do not provide the female with adequate nutrition during pregnancy and feeding her offspring, she may eat her cubs.
Interesting facts and myths
In ancient times, hamsters were associated with evil spirits and witchcraft.
A hamster is not a toy, but a pet that requires attention and proper care.
Now they are shrouded in completely different myths:
- These are living toys. A hamster should not be considered a toy. It requires care and respect. The animal can be tamed, but it will take effort.
- It is impossible to get rid of the cage smell. If the filler is replaced in a timely manner, there will be no unpleasant odors. The hamster is clean.
- The pet does not need water. This is wrong. Without drinking water, the animal will die.
Interesting Facts:
- The animals are used in laboratory research. They are susceptible to human viruses and have a similar tooth structure to ours.
- Matriarchy reigns among rodents of this species. The female is larger than the male and decides who will be the father of the offspring.
- In England there is a club of golden hamster lovers, which publishes its own newspaper and regularly selects a hamster of the month.
